Virginia´s Western Highlands: A Curiosity To Visit To Tourists
Dr Surendra Bhakta Pradhanang
May 20, 2009
Virginia´s Western Highlands, the symbol of ´gateway community´ to the national forest – state parks of Virginia leads tourism industry and economic development side by side to maintaining pristine natural beauty and to preserving cultural heritage and unique flavor of art and architecture of region based outlook and planning.
The four- county followed by Alleghany, Bath, Craig and Highlands along with the Town of Clifton Forge and City of Covington – two cities – when put in combined form, looks upon the single tourism brand ´Virginia´s Western Highlands´. A region´s brand and means of tourism marketing message to tourists – an attraction to visitors – are a tactical step for Virginia tourism and economic development.
The people of Clifton Forge – the residents of the small town – greet as ´hello! How are you?´ And they would raise hands with greetings and good wishes either they are in a common walk or a car. These unpaid greetings would really win the heart and mind of visitors.
A new regional tourism organization and plans focused or concentrated to the region as ´a single tourist destination´. Virginia´s Western Highlands gives the message to the business community in the region ´tourism as an industry´. Tactic on attracting tourists to the regional spots is the prime objective of the region´s tourism policy.
To know Virginia´s Western Highlands, information set on the website on recreation, accommodation, events, shopping centers etc is an easy access to enter into the Virginian tourist destinations for visitation.
Located in the Alleghany Mountain of Virginia, the Virginia´s Western Highlands provides unparallel adventures illustrated by hunting, fishing, skiing, and golfing. For instance, the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Lake Moomaw and the Appalachian Trail are popular and interesting spots for. Besides, Virginia´s Western Highlands is – home to Dought State Park – recognized as one of the nation´s top ten parks.
Tourism is, in fact, the most powerful economic force for today in the world. In the U.S. economy and industry, travel and tourism has taken place among the top three retail industries. The Alleghany Highlands seems to be a powerful tourism destination in the regional tourism development concept and its brand promotion and recognition. As the statistics shows, Dought State Park alone received 1, 75, 000 visitors per year. The unique annual welcome program for New Comers to Alleghany Highlands adopted by the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce is a highly appreciable and additional attraction to the region´s tourism development goal.
Launched by pleasant tourism programs held in Lexington and Lewisburg and popularly known as high standard tourism resort – the Homestead and the Greenbrier – most of the visitors would be already passing through the Alleghany Highlands. The promotional marketing budget amounted to $ 1 million and $ 0.6 million to Greenbrier and Lexington – Rockbridge respectively is a good resource for promotion of tourism destinations.
The Alleghany Highlands (Covington, Clifton Forge and Alleghany County) have jointly programmed with Craig, Bath and Highland counties in campaigning a regional tourism development and marketing plan. With pooled amount of budget (resources), the joint venture marketing strategy was started in promotion and advertisement of tourism in Virginia.
A West Virginia businessman with coal and agricultural interests paid CSX $ 20.1 million to get the Greenbrier resort which is one of the best attractions of Virginia tourism industry. Regarding Virginia Recreation Project, the Ntional Park Service is ready to spend $ 27 million on 37 renovation projects in Virginia.
The Park Service projecting $ 750 million in favour of federal economic stimulus money on almost 800 projects can attract more visitors in long run for sustainability. In Virginia the Shenandoah National Park would spend the largest chunk of amount - $ 17 million for various project implications including rehabilitation of 11 miles of Skyline Drive and 16 scenic and historic routes. Besides, the Prince William Forest Park is rehabilitated by spending $ 5.5 million.
Fall, spring and summer seasons have a strong appeal generally experienced as the most popular and expensive time to travel. Due to the economic downturn this year tourists seem discouraged to travel. A global economic meltdown holds a lot of economic issues and constraints in the U.S.A and world.
Nepal´s village tourism concept propounded by Dr Pradhanang of Nepal can be capitalized in region´s tourism development in the Virginia´s Western Highlands. For example, North Carolina having handmade rural products and attraction can be promoted.Dr Pradhanang who is known as the ´Father of Village Tourism in Nepal´ opined that the rural or village part of U.S.A. as well as small town can be promoted as tourism village destination as a new and innovative tourism plan and strategy.
Tourists accommodate the region´s village or county´s natural beauty when they do not question about highly facilitated accommodation – hotels ,lodges and restaurants – in the unique spot of villages.
The Alleghany Highlands Economic Development Corporation (AHEDC) started survey on business community (1023 businesses) in the city of Covington and Alleghany County for assessment of business community´s improvement and input to receive in terms of profitability and productivity. Starting opinion survey is good for setting healthy plans on tourism and economic development.
The unique attractions of regional tourism in Virginia are spelled out by county. The Alleghany County has the uniqueness of test for ´morel mushrooms and caves enjoyment´ for unique experience to tourists.
The Bath County having world top class resort – Homestead at the height of Top Mountain and healing pools provides unique adventure and pleasure to tourists at the larger extent. The Craig County has the next attraction of four- wheel ATV track and Glider port for tourists to experience and enjoy their traveling happier. Simultaneously, the Highland County is famous for Mc Dowell Battlefield from the standpoint of unique historic bravery and warfare of past Virginian heroes and Virginia in favor of patriotism and nationalism.
Besides, Clifton Forge town has the unique attraction of railway museum showing historical evolution of railway in Virginia and Washington D.C .The world famous New River Train Excursions ( in October only) – a railroading tradition since 1966 – is further unique attraction of West Virginia. Tourists can enjoy the beauty of West Virginia through the eyes of " The Eagle" , CASS scenic railroad state park ,the Durbin Rocket and the Cheat Mountain Salamander. The Tourist Trains of West Virginia provide unforgettable experience and sweet memory of Mountain State heritage, hospitality and natural scenery to international visitors.
Tourists enjoy an outdoor recreation paradise and a kaleidoscope of natural wonders more. Basically, 25 percent of all job opportunities are created by tourism.
The four – county region is commonly noted for the scenic beauty of mountains and streams by nature. It remembers Nepal´s village based tourism brand as ´Naturally Nepal´. The State Park in the forest land of counties is over 50% as attraction to tourists for pleasure and relaxation. Relatively, the National Park of Nepal - The Royal Chitwan National Park is good for consideration in this respect.
The tour program for 2 nights 3 days to 5 nights 6 days package is preferred for regional tourism development – Virginia´s Western Highlands. The community leaders, conscious citizens, government officials, business enterpreneures, tourism partners and developers, land owners and managers, intellectuals and economic development and tourism professionals of Virginia have to think over the innovative thought of Dr Pradhanang along with visitor´s demand and desire for sustainable tourism and economic development in Virginia´s Western Highlands.
The four- county followed by Alleghany, Bath, Craig and Highlands along with the Town of Clifton Forge and City of Covington – two cities – when put in combined form, looks upon the single tourism brand ´Virginia´s Western Highlands´. A region´s brand and means of tourism marketing message to tourists – an attraction to visitors – are a tactical step for Virginia tourism and economic development.
The people of Clifton Forge – the residents of the small town – greet as ´hello! How are you?´ And they would raise hands with greetings and good wishes either they are in a common walk or a car. These unpaid greetings would really win the heart and mind of visitors.
A new regional tourism organization and plans focused or concentrated to the region as ´a single tourist destination´. Virginia´s Western Highlands gives the message to the business community in the region ´tourism as an industry´. Tactic on attracting tourists to the regional spots is the prime objective of the region´s tourism policy.
To know Virginia´s Western Highlands, information set on the website on recreation, accommodation, events, shopping centers etc is an easy access to enter into the Virginian tourist destinations for visitation.
Located in the Alleghany Mountain of Virginia, the Virginia´s Western Highlands provides unparallel adventures illustrated by hunting, fishing, skiing, and golfing. For instance, the George Washington and Jefferson National Forests, Lake Moomaw and the Appalachian Trail are popular and interesting spots for. Besides, Virginia´s Western Highlands is – home to Dought State Park – recognized as one of the nation´s top ten parks.
Tourism is, in fact, the most powerful economic force for today in the world. In the U.S. economy and industry, travel and tourism has taken place among the top three retail industries. The Alleghany Highlands seems to be a powerful tourism destination in the regional tourism development concept and its brand promotion and recognition. As the statistics shows, Dought State Park alone received 1, 75, 000 visitors per year. The unique annual welcome program for New Comers to Alleghany Highlands adopted by the Alleghany Highlands Chamber of Commerce is a highly appreciable and additional attraction to the region´s tourism development goal.
Launched by pleasant tourism programs held in Lexington and Lewisburg and popularly known as high standard tourism resort – the Homestead and the Greenbrier – most of the visitors would be already passing through the Alleghany Highlands. The promotional marketing budget amounted to $ 1 million and $ 0.6 million to Greenbrier and Lexington – Rockbridge respectively is a good resource for promotion of tourism destinations.
The Alleghany Highlands (Covington, Clifton Forge and Alleghany County) have jointly programmed with Craig, Bath and Highland counties in campaigning a regional tourism development and marketing plan. With pooled amount of budget (resources), the joint venture marketing strategy was started in promotion and advertisement of tourism in Virginia.
A West Virginia businessman with coal and agricultural interests paid CSX $ 20.1 million to get the Greenbrier resort which is one of the best attractions of Virginia tourism industry. Regarding Virginia Recreation Project, the Ntional Park Service is ready to spend $ 27 million on 37 renovation projects in Virginia.
The Park Service projecting $ 750 million in favour of federal economic stimulus money on almost 800 projects can attract more visitors in long run for sustainability. In Virginia the Shenandoah National Park would spend the largest chunk of amount - $ 17 million for various project implications including rehabilitation of 11 miles of Skyline Drive and 16 scenic and historic routes. Besides, the Prince William Forest Park is rehabilitated by spending $ 5.5 million.
Fall, spring and summer seasons have a strong appeal generally experienced as the most popular and expensive time to travel. Due to the economic downturn this year tourists seem discouraged to travel. A global economic meltdown holds a lot of economic issues and constraints in the U.S.A and world.
Nepal´s village tourism concept propounded by Dr Pradhanang of Nepal can be capitalized in region´s tourism development in the Virginia´s Western Highlands. For example, North Carolina having handmade rural products and attraction can be promoted.Dr Pradhanang who is known as the ´Father of Village Tourism in Nepal´ opined that the rural or village part of U.S.A. as well as small town can be promoted as tourism village destination as a new and innovative tourism plan and strategy.
Tourists accommodate the region´s village or county´s natural beauty when they do not question about highly facilitated accommodation – hotels ,lodges and restaurants – in the unique spot of villages.
The Alleghany Highlands Economic Development Corporation (AHEDC) started survey on business community (1023 businesses) in the city of Covington and Alleghany County for assessment of business community´s improvement and input to receive in terms of profitability and productivity. Starting opinion survey is good for setting healthy plans on tourism and economic development.
The unique attractions of regional tourism in Virginia are spelled out by county. The Alleghany County has the uniqueness of test for ´morel mushrooms and caves enjoyment´ for unique experience to tourists.
The Bath County having world top class resort – Homestead at the height of Top Mountain and healing pools provides unique adventure and pleasure to tourists at the larger extent. The Craig County has the next attraction of four- wheel ATV track and Glider port for tourists to experience and enjoy their traveling happier. Simultaneously, the Highland County is famous for Mc Dowell Battlefield from the standpoint of unique historic bravery and warfare of past Virginian heroes and Virginia in favor of patriotism and nationalism.
Besides, Clifton Forge town has the unique attraction of railway museum showing historical evolution of railway in Virginia and Washington D.C .The world famous New River Train Excursions ( in October only) – a railroading tradition since 1966 – is further unique attraction of West Virginia. Tourists can enjoy the beauty of West Virginia through the eyes of " The Eagle" , CASS scenic railroad state park ,the Durbin Rocket and the Cheat Mountain Salamander. The Tourist Trains of West Virginia provide unforgettable experience and sweet memory of Mountain State heritage, hospitality and natural scenery to international visitors.
Tourists enjoy an outdoor recreation paradise and a kaleidoscope of natural wonders more. Basically, 25 percent of all job opportunities are created by tourism.
The four – county region is commonly noted for the scenic beauty of mountains and streams by nature. It remembers Nepal´s village based tourism brand as ´Naturally Nepal´. The State Park in the forest land of counties is over 50% as attraction to tourists for pleasure and relaxation. Relatively, the National Park of Nepal - The Royal Chitwan National Park is good for consideration in this respect.
The tour program for 2 nights 3 days to 5 nights 6 days package is preferred for regional tourism development – Virginia´s Western Highlands. The community leaders, conscious citizens, government officials, business enterpreneures, tourism partners and developers, land owners and managers, intellectuals and economic development and tourism professionals of Virginia have to think over the innovative thought of Dr Pradhanang along with visitor´s demand and desire for sustainable tourism and economic development in Virginia´s Western Highlands.
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